Data and R code for "Roosting ecology of endangered plant-roosting bats on Okinawa Island: implications for bat-friendly forestry practices"

Data and R code for the manuscript "Roosting ecology of endangered plant-roosting bats on Okinawa Island: implications for bat-friendly forestry practices" by Jason H. Preble, Christian E. Vincenot, Kazuhiko Saito, and Nobuhito Ohte published in <i>Ecology &amp; Evolution</i>.<br><b>Abstract from manuscript</b><b></b>Roosting information is crucial to guiding bat conservation and bat-friendly forestry practices. The Ryukyu tube-nosed bat <i>Murina ryukyuana </i>(Endangered) and Yanbaru whiskered bat <i>Myotis yanbarensis </i>(Critically Endangered) are forest-dwelling bats endemic to the central Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Despite their threatened status, little is known about the roosting ecology of these species and the characteristics of natural maternity roosts are unknown. To inform sustainable forestry practices and conservation management, we radio-tracked day roosts of both species in the subtropical forests of Okinawa’s Kunigami Village district. We compared roost and roost site characteristics statistically between <i>M. ryukyuana </i>non-maternity roosts (males or non-reproductive females), maternity roosts, and all <i>M. yanbarensis </i>roosts. Generalized linear models were used to investigate roost site selection by <i>M. ryukyuana </i>irrespective of sex and age class. Lastly, we compiled data on phenology from this and prior studies. Non-reproductive <i>M. ryukyuana </i>roosted alone and primarily in understory foliage. <i>Murina ryukyuana </i>maternity roosts were limited to stands &gt;50 years old and ~60% were in foliage. <i>Myotis yanbarensis </i>roosted almost entirely in cavities along gulch bottoms and only in stands &gt;70 years old (~1/3 of Kunigami’s total forest area). <i>Murina ryukyuana </i>maternity roosts were higher (4.3 ± 0.6 m) than conspecific non-maternity roosts (2.3 ± 0.5 m; <i>P </i>&lt; 0.001) and <i>M. yanbarensis </i>roosts (2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant). Model results were inconclusive. Both species appear to be obligate plant roosters throughout their life cycle, but the less flexible roosting preferences of <i>M. yanbarensis</i> may explain its striking rarity. To conserve these threatened bats, we recommend the following forestry practices: 1) reduce clearing of understory vegetation, 2) refrain from removing trees along streams, 3) promote greater tree cavity densities by protecting old-growth forests and retaining snags, and 4) refrain from removing trees or understory between April–July, while bats are pupping.<br><b>Ethical statement</b><b></b>This research was carried out under permits from Aha Dam Office, Kunigami Village Office, University of the Ryukyus Experimental Forest Yona Field, Okinawa Regional Forest Office, Okinawa Prefectural Government Hokubu Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Center, and the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. Animal research was also permitted by Kyoto University (permits Inf-K17008 and Inf-K19007).